At the shelter

This winter/spring I have volunteered at the cold weather shelter quite frequently. I am spending the holiday weekend helping out. I just started my second night in a row.

Today has been a bit rough. Left the shelter in the morning..home..church
.visit relatives in town go home get ready return to the shelter. A blur best describes the day.

But these folks need the shelter. 13 nights spent awake and away from home is really the least I can do.

The economy  is not good. I struggle yet these folks struggle too. Homelessness is real. I don't normally see them on the streets like in the big cities. However I know they exist I see them here.

I wonder where will they go.  There will be cold days..stormy days..hot days...and I wonder how they will find shelter. How will they eat?

I wonder about next year. Where will the shelter be? Who will survive?

A night for Hope

Tuesday night was a night of hope. It was a recognition night for the woman at Hope Alive. Hope Alive is a non-profit ministry providing shelter and so much more to homeless woman and their children. The evening brought together supporters of Hope Alive from across the region. Supporters ranged from owners of foundations, local clergy, local business leaders and concerned citizens.

Homelessness is a big problem in Frederick County, Maryland and the Nation as a whole. The shaky economy is certainly not helping. I have been fortunate to help where I can. I have volunteered with the REACH Cold Weather Shelter in Hagerstown, Maryland and I volunteer at Hope Alive. A couple of weeks ago, I was able to enjoy a night out with my wife and we saw a concert. The concert was the California Guitar Trio who performed a benefit concert for another shelter in Frederick.

More information about Hope Alive can be found at www.hopealiveministries.org.